Recorded over several years at Sugarlicks’ own studios, this album is a true collaboration of artists, cultures and technology.  The traditional Island sounds are evident throughout and blend perfectly with the variety of analog synths, full rhythm percussion, mpc3000 electronic drums, samples, analog effects, and notably an I-phone. Using mostly two apps, ‘Into Infinity’ and ‘Bloom’, created by Brian Eno, the band were able to sample sound bites that had been uploaded by people around the world.

The molten mix of Niuean, Fijian, and Kiwi-Lebanese cultures of the bandmates (Baz Suamili, Gmuva, Levani Vosasi), as well as a variety of guests that include Isaac Aesili (Funkommunity), Spencer Fusimalohi (Herbs), Nat Rose, Manuel Bundy, Cherie Matheson, Chinese Guzheng player XiYao, and Soulsista Aotearoa, is a true representation of the cultural hub that is Auckland.

Early also sees a revival of the Sugarlicks label, their first release in over 5 years, and marks their 15^th album release. Seva Hifi add an exciting new sound to the label’s stable of Pacific Soul.  The label, which operates an analog recording studio in downtown Auckland that has recorded the likes of Nathan Haines, Hollie Smith and Opensouls, has already released 6 twelve inch vinyl singles in New Zealand and worldwide. Sugarlicks have just released their first 7” single, Seva Hifi’s debut single “Pressures of Life”.

Early will be out August 17^th 2012 via Rhythmethod Distribution.

A 7’’ single of “Pressures of Life” is already available.

Diggin in the dirt, cooking soup and comedy opera filled in the inbetween studio times, the Seva train took a while to come into station, but we here now. The title Early comes from the fact that most of the tracks for the album originated when Baz and G first started hanging out – when Sugarlicks was recording the Jah’licious album – and Baz was doing drums and bv’s, as well as being the first steps on a new sound for the label, and a unique take on a new sound from the Pacific.
Recording was completed at various incarnations of Sugarlicks studios over the years – New Lynn, Glen Eden, Britomart, Pt Chev….. The album is a testament to all those studio hours, a resultant deep mix of Pacifika and electronica, songwriting and percussion funk.Check some more flavour here.

Our expression of music is to move, inspire, show diversity & to impact lives Worldwide.
Sugarlicks Records 2012.

http://www.sugarlicks.com/sevahifi

Well it gets pretty damp during winter in Auckland, as anyone who lives here can testify. Understatement.
So in the interests of dusting off the archives and adding some surety (?) in the digital realm, here’s a selection of test-sheets & prints, an original flyer and some random transfers almost dead. Big ups to Duncan Cole & Greg Riwai for the amazing photos.

Firstly the first flyer for the Sugarlicks night that went on to become the label. Thanks to all the original crew of Khuja – G & Yazz, Gene & Jude, and the family Khuja crew, and a special thanks to Lepani (Levani) for the “pre”-cussion.  The model for the photo is the one and only Tony Johnson.

We assembled Manuel’s daughter Indigo, and Jess’ twins and youngest – Isaac, Maya & Hannah for a photo shoot at Kowhai Intermediate with Greg Riwai to snap the cover for the debut label release Styles Upon Styles Part One. Haven’t checked in the school playground, but there will no doubt still be some hand-prints…

Energy State is the highest selling release for Sugarlicks; We sometimes wish One Million Dollars were still recording and playing live…  Hobs, Richie, Steph, Mr Paul, Tomachi… Great combo.
If you haven’t watched the Greg Riwai video for “Who You Are” featuring Hollie Smith, please do so now!

Mere agreed to come out onto Symonds St when we needed a cover for the second Styles compilation in 2002. We shot the cover waist up, (pajamas still on below), and had breakfast to celebrate. Years later though, looking at the transfers, it’s obvious scanning the original film would have made a better choice.

Duncan shot the whole crew in one afternoon one day in the central city K Rd & Cross St area. Included is the timeless snap of Brother J. One Love.

Seva Hifi is a unique New Zealand project from producer Gmuva, percussionist Levani Vosasi & musician and soul vocalist Baz Suamili. Baz comes from a Niuean/Samoan family of seven, and has a background singing in Niuean church groups, before a 9 year journey playing with his Father’s band the Tuleki Brothers. More recently he has played in Auckland reggae bands such as Tenement Yard and Jah’licious.
Levani Vosasi first heard music from listening to sounds in the villages in Fiji, while Gmuva, a Lebanese Kiwi, grew up in Dunedin djing, running clubs and playing in the odd punk-funk band.
The Collab together is Seva Hifi.
Seva Hifi release debut single “Pressures of Life” May 25th 2012, with debut album “Early” released August 2012.
Expect conscious Pacific dub & soul vibes, laced with psychedelic electronica. The familiar sound of urban funk & the unlikely beat of Island drums. Drums.

Pressures of Life is the debut single from Seva Hifi and features Nat Rose on backing vocals, and Isaac Aesili on horns. The single is released on 7″ vinyl May 25th 2012 (Sugarlp007), and the upcoming album “Early” (sugarcd015), is released August 2012. Shot.

www.sugarlicks.com/sevahifi

http://flavors.me/seva_hifi#_

Released by: Sugarlicks New Zealand
Release/catalogue number: Sugarlp007
Release date: May 25, 2012

Levani Vosasi

Baz Suamili and Levani Vosasi – the Polynesian two thirds of Seva Hifi, have both been involved in the Auckland music scene for over a decade. Baz, who started by playing with bands in South Auckland, also has a love of spoken word, Polynesian & reggae rhythms, the 80s, and drums. Levani is a story-teller and percussion spirit teacher. He comes from an Ethiopian Fijian family of first rhythm- Vosasi. Together they form the Polynesian element of Seva Hifi – a unique voice only found in modern day Aotearoa.

Baz Suamili

In  Levani’s own words: “My first music experience was the sound of nature, then I hear the radio. After the radio I hear the sound of people in the villages singing, that was my first experience with music”
Baz: “I have lived and breathed music for most of my life.  Since the age of five, I’ve drummed on everything from pots and pans to more recently, the latest electronic drum machines.”
The third element of the Seva family is producer Gmuva -  a Lebanese Kiwi producer and musician. Originally from Dunedin, he grew up around a music culture that was awash with punk and reggae. Playing in University punk-funk bands, and helping to set up Dunedin’s first venue with turntables and a club soundsystem, he soon developed a taste for beats and production.
“My love for music stems from environment and family sharing all shades of political music growing up. We were always surrounded by the music of revolution and also the get down. My family, being Lebanese always instilled in me a purpose for music. I understood then that the task was a serious one.”

Gmuva

Below is a spoken word performance from Baz at a recent workshop with visiting poets Akala and Anthony Anaxagorou from Hip Hop Shakespeare, and a little studio visit video from Levani.

Seva Hifi releases it’s first single 7″ entitled “Pressures of Life” April 2012. Expect an album following of psychedelic space-funk from the Pacific, with conscious Polynesian soul & drums. Shot.

In the spirit of goodwill for this day, please enjoy a number of Sugarlicks tracks from over the last ten years, now enabled for online download here.

Every year on 6 February, New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. In that year, representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Maori chiefs signed what is regarded as New Zealand’s founding document. Indigenous Maori People in NZ however have not had their sovereign rights respected since the signing of the partnership. Instead colonial imperialism, as with much of the western world, has been the order of the day. The Treaty of Waitangi has two texts, one Maori and one English. The English text is not an exact translation of the Maori text. Despite the problems caused by the different versions, both represent an agreement in which Maori gave the Crown rights to govern and to develop British settlement, while the Crown guaranteed Maori full sovereign protection of their interests and status, and full citizenship rights. Tino Rangatiratanga (full sovereignty) has not ever been fully respected by the Crown.

In the Hamra area – home of the global youth, the University minds and the bohemian nightlife set – voices are getting heard by spraying & painting their messages on the walls.

Often the message is either political (“think Beirut, think secular”), or touched with a sense of humour as below …. Hamra walls have become a canvas for street thought, conversation and political messages. Funny, desperate, profound, informed or just plain fun … the walls speak!

Street art around Hamra has become so popular, that it even now has a facebook page, as well as a number of dedicated blog sites – on typography, photos of the natural collage that tearing posters and continual pasting creates, as well as a recent publication on the topic. The below image is from one particular blog.

Militias in Beirut used to paint walls with their emblems during the civil war, marking their territories with signs and symbols.

Today the bullet strewn buildings are still in evidence, but the spray can has replaced the machine gun for a time, and “bombing” has taken on its grafitti meaning at present.

The following image is also from the above blog, and translated as or “Soon: The Union of the Arab People”, it was painted over the very next day.

Whatever the messages, one thing is for sure – Beirut city lives, and has a vibrant urban youth voice that is making itself known on the inner city streets … of special note also is the Islamic influenced Wild Style popping up – a homage to the original NYC train art graf styles …

And sometimes the montage of old posters, and old buildings fixtures is enough in itself to become “art”.

Until next time, Beirut city we love you.

The photo shoot for the cover was arranged with Greg Riwai, and the hands involved belonged to (teenagers now) Indigo, Maya, Isaac & Hannah. Shot in the playground at Kowhai Intermediate Sandringham.

Since 2001, the label has gone on to release 15 albums around the world, and 6 well received 12″ vinyl singles. Look out for a new release and 7″ single early 2012. Peace to all the music-makers, funksters, family and supporters over the last ten years … more to come.

In 2012 Sugarlicks Records New Zealand releases our first album for over five years. Seva Hifi features the remarkable song-writing talent of Baz Suamili – a soul inspired, deep brother, with visions of a connected, free and harmonious World. An expression that finds its natural home within the Seva trio that also includes producer and label founder Gmuva, and the Fijian prince of percussion Levani Vosasi.
The album also includes some of the extended family of Pacific soul visionaries – including Isaac Aesili, Nat Rose, Soulsista Aotearoa, Manuel Bundy, Spencer Fusimalohi & Xiyao Cheng.

In Baz’s own words: “I have lived and breathed music for most of my life.  Since the age of five, I’ve drummed on everything from pots and pans to more recently, the latest electronic drum machines.  As the youngest of five children, I grew up in the Auckland suburb of Mt Albert.  I currently live in South Auckland where my passion for music really took off.  As with a lot of pacific island families, I first discovered the drums and singing at my local Ekalesia Church and my Fathers family band (Tuleki brothers).  I was the lead drummer and back up vocalist up until my early teens.

The vision of this album is to have a universal appeal, not only to Niueans but to other cultures.  Some tracks will also relate to old and young people.  It supports diversity with a positive message to connect and inspire hope for individuals and families.  Music has always been a big part of my life and extended family.  Traditional get togethers were loud and spontaneous using our own ingenuity for example, creating sounds on cabin bread tins to string guitars.  I believe our distinctive sound has potential for a wider international market.  This would raise the profile of Niue, NZ and the pacific islands and put us further on the map…”

Our expression of music is to Move, Inspire, Encourage, Show diversity, Support our community and to impact lives worldwide. 2012 is when we will share our music with the World, but for now, an intro. Shot.

For all Seva Hifi updates keep an eye on – http://flavors.me/seva_hifi